Betty Jane Vangilder, age 98, passed away peacefully at her home in rural Cape Girardeau Jan. 23, 2022.
She was born to John William and Anna Sophia Christina (Koehrer) Van Gilder, on Nov. 17, 1923, in Cape Girardeau.
Betty Jane and Kenneth E. Vangilder were united in marriage, Dec. 1, 1950. Since then, she has been a member of Hanover Lutheran Church. They shared 56 years of marriage together until Kenneth passed away in 2006.
Betty was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended Trinity Lutheran day school and was a 1941 graduate of College High School, then on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. She then worked for the Bell Telephone company before becoming a devoted stay at home mother and dairy farm wife.
Betty is survived by two sons, Scott (Meredith Kay) and Clay (Julie), both of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Ryan (Lori) Vangilder of Festus, Kathryn (Kevin) Ballatore of Valley Ford, CA, Rachel (Derrick) Biri of Cape Girardeau, and Kara (Taylor) Busch of Lake St. Louis; eight great-grandchildren, Alaina and Austin Ballatore, Mason, Myles, Bryce Biri, and Greyson, Hadley and Brynlie Busch.
Betty Jane was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Majorie Ann Van Gilder Heuer.
A private funeral will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park.
The family asks that all memorials be directed and sent to Hanover Lutheran Church, 2949 Perryville Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.
Ford & Sons Funeral Home – Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.
